Ever since Joe Gibbs retired on Jan. 8, the Redskins have been in the market for a new head coach. A process that has lasted five weeks – far longer than the norm – should be resolved shortly, and this is all of great interest to the Super Bowl champion Giants and their fans.

Redskins owner Dan Snyder wanted to make sure he interviewed every possible candidate and as the Giants playoff run extended week after week, Snyder had to decide whether or not it was worth waiting to speak with defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. Snyder decided to wait and was greatly impressed by a brilliant showing by Spagnuolo’s defense in a 17-14 upset of the Patriots in Super Bowl XLII.

Spagnuolo spent all day and night yesterday meeting with Snyder and Redskins officials after first speaking with Snyder Monday night for about 90 minutes. Talks were expected to resume this morning. Spagnuolo, 48, after attending Tuesday’s victory parade down the “Canyon of Heroes” and the celebratory rally at Giants Stadium was picked up by Snyder’s private plane and spent the night at a guesthouse on Snyder’s property.

It seems likely that Snyder will make Spagnuolo an offer. After numerous interviews, Snyder has narrowed the field to former Giants coach Jim Fassel and Colts defensive coordinator Ron Meeks. At the moment, Spagnuolo based on the Giants stunning success is an extremely hot candidate but, fortunately for the Giants, there is one remaining opening. He’s happy with the Giants, built a strong bond of trust with his players and is in position to seek and receive a huge raise that would make him one of the NFL’s highest-paid coordinators. Nevertheless, the money won’t compare with what Snyder is expected to offer.

Many prospective head coaches would balk at having his key assistants already in place, and that is the deal in Washington, where Snyder in a cart-before-the-horse move already has hired two coordinators, Greg Blache on defense and Jim Zorn on offense. Spagnuolo was in a similar position when he came to the Giants, because he retained the entire holdover defensive staff. No doubt, members of the Giants front office have warned Spagnuolo of the perils of working for Snyder, who does not exactly run a stable franchise. If Spagnuolo wants additional input, he could dial up Andy Reid, his former boss with the Eagles.

The Giants hired Spagnuolo though he had never been a coordinator and, if he leaves, that lesson probably means they won’t be afraid to go that route again. There are candidates on their own staff. Bill Sheridan has been the Giants linebackers coach the past three years and is considered a coaching prospect, though before 2005 all his experience came in the college ranks and – like Spagnuolo before him – has never been a coordinator at any level.

Another internal candidate is Peter Giunta, a defensive backs coach the past two years who has been in the NFL since 1991. Giunta served as the defensive coordinator with the Rams from 1998-2000, earning a Super Bowl championship ring following the 1999 season. Giunta also coached defensive backs for the Jets in 1995 and 1996.

As far as the lengthy and lucrative new contract awaiting Tom Coughlin, nothing will happen right away. Coughlin’s agent, Gary O’Hagan, yesterday said he expects negotiations to begin in the next couple of weeks.